State in land buy for koala habitat

State in land buy for koala habitat

SUNSHINE Coast koala activists have welcomed the state government's purchase of a hinterland property for use as a sanctuary, but say it is only scratching the surface of the problem.

And at least one campaigner believes it may already be too late for the iconic marsupial.

The government on Saturday announced it had purchased the 125.5ha property at Crohamhurst, south of Maleny.

Sunshine Coast Wildlife Rescue brothers Ray and Murray Chambers and Vegan Warriors founder Jaylene Musgrave yesterday supported the move but said it was only the tip of the iceberg.

"The fact that the Queensland Government has finally purchased land to help preserve the koala population is fantastic, and I've got to celebrate any small victory. But to be honest it's all going to be too little, too late," Ms Musgrave said.

"I am shocked by the attitude of our government towards the preservation of an Australian icon.

"When you talk to people overseas they are shocked that our koala population is being treated this way.

"We need to do more and fast otherwise there won't be any koalas left."

The Chambers brothers have spent six years rescuing injured and sick koalas with no financial support from government.

They say more money should be put into the koala preservation effort.

"Obviously purchasing this land is a step in the right direction. We need to save as many habitats as we can because to be honest there's not many left," Murray Chambers said.

"They need to think further out and have more than one sanctuary.

"They've done a good thing, but they need to keep going into different areas like Pomona, Cooroy, Tewantin and Mapleton.

"All these places have patches left that need to be protected from us humans.

"Here on the Coast we are down to between 100 and 150 koalas and 98% of their habitats have been cleared ... it's not funny."

Mr Powell said the Crohamhurst property was chosen from more than 150 put forward by landholders.